Commentaries at the San Antonio Report provide space for our community to share perspectives and offer solutions to pressing local issues. The views expressed in this commentary belong to the author alone.
Texas has built one of the strongest economies in the world by embracing our diverse energy resources, empowering our businesses and advancing smart policy that enables our citizens to thrive.
Our state’s willingness to harness our homegrown energy resources plays a crucial role in securing American energy independence. The Trump administration is emphasizing generating more energy domestically, and Texas is well-positioned to lead the charge with a number of priority bills this legislative session to expedite the construction of new electricity generation, namely House Bill 14 and Senate Bill 6, which I am monitoring closely.
HB 14 would establish the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, whose purpose, in part, would be to advance innovative nuclear energy generation technologies and support Texas’ transition to a balanced energy future. SB 6 would streamline and standardize the process for connecting new energy retailers to the electrical grid.
Both bills ensure our energy generation capabilities can be scaled to meet the state’s rising demand. Not only could these bills foster the creation of thousands of jobs and encourage economic growth in hubs like Bexar County, but they could also help secure our energy future.
Additionally, I have filed House Bill 3652, which would create Texas’ own oil and gas strategic reserve to ensure that we are prepared for any future energy needs.
With the support of our partners in the federal government, Texas is focused on prioritizing the growth of new business and our economy.
If Texas wants to continue to lead the nation, we must ensure that we can meet the growing energy demands we have right here at home. Experts have estimated that Texas’ current energy demands will double by 2030. Texas policy must be focused on meeting this challenge.
It is important to note that other states have picked winners and losers in the energy sector, leaving their electric grids more vulnerable to disruption and higher costs for families and businesses. We must resist this predictable policy failure.
In addition to our enviable oil and gas production, Texas is committed to diversifying our energy supply. We rank first and second in wind and solar production, respectively, and are home to two nuclear power plants. Small modular reactors, the next generation of safer nuclear energy, have found a home here in Texas. In the coming years, I look forward to the proliferation of these advanced technologies across our state to quickly onboard new generation and ensure we are a leader in energy production.
By taking a balanced approach to our energy future, we will also make our state more resilient during times of severe weather and infrastructure impacts and attract more businesses to our region. We have all seen the catastrophic results when our grid fails to meet these moments. The only rational policy response is to focus on diverse energy generation — and quickly.
As we head toward 2030, it is important to note that our thriving economy is a driving factor in increased energy demands. Texas’ business community has flourished in recent years as industries expand their in-state facilities and move here from other states. We have become a world leader in data center growth, helping to power AI, cloud computing and advanced manufacturing tools relied on by an array of companies.
Why is this so important? Similar to how Texas energy strengthens and protects American energy security, Texas is developing the cutting-edge technologies that will strengthen and protect U.S. leadership in critical industries. We know that China is rapidly advancing in the AI race, and it is a matter of national and state security to ensure that the United States emerges victorious, and for that, we need to expand our generation portfolio.
Further, these technologies help improve businesses of all shapes and sizes. Advancing energy security will make AI, machine learning and other technologies more accessible and our businesses more efficient. That means more jobs for Texans and our families and more investment in our state.
Advanced technologies require consistent access to energy to grow and thrive. It is imperative that our state continues down the path of harnessing generation in all forms to ensure that businesses can grow here while keeping costs stable for working families. But to do that, businesses need access to reliable energy.
In Texas, the Lone Star shines bright. Our federal policymakers have lifted the policies that inhibit energy growth. State and local leaders are committed to moving smart energy policy forward and welcoming investment from some of the top technology countries in the world. With the legislative session more than half over, it is time to pass meaningful legislation and secure our energy future.
